Minneapolis St. Patrick’s Day Association to revive Women’s Christmas Jan. 9 at Kieran’s
For a lucky 13 years, Minneapolis was home to one final holiday bash of the season that filled an Irish pub with women on a Sunday afternoon in January.
Lucky for all, it will happen again in 2022.
Kieran’s Irish Pub will hold Women’s Christmas on Sunday, January 9th from 1 to 4 p.m. The Minneapolis St. Patrick’s Day Parade Association is sponsoring the Irish tradition of Women’s Christmas. Prize drawings for women will be featured throughout the day; Locklin Road will again perform; and Irish dancers will also make an appearance.
In 2019 in Minneapolis, few could have predicted that it would be the last year of Women’s Christmas at Keegan’s Irish Pub, a well-loved event at the well-loved pub for 13 years. Virgina Keegan, Terry Keegan, Marty Neuman, along with Locklin Road, launched and carried on the tradition since 2008. Then came COVID-19. Then, sadly, the closing of Keegan’s.
“This was a great event at Keegan’s, a great celebration for women. We love the idea of bringing it back at another great Irish pub in Minneapolis, at a time when we could all use a boost,” said Judy Clerkin, who with her husband, Sean Clerkin, founded the Minneapolis St. Patrick’s Day Association. Judy attended the event for years at Keegan’s and saw how women loved coming year after year to celebrate with their friends and family. “Mothers and daughters, friends, sisters, workmates all came together at Keegan’s. We can’t wait to see that again at Kieran’s,” said Judy.
In Ireland, particularly in Cork, Women’s Christmas (also known as Little Christmas or Little Women’s Christmas) is celebrated on the feast of the Epiphany, the traditional end of Christmas season (aka the twelfth day of Christmas)—the custom is for Irish women to take the day off, and for men to take on the household duties. Women fill the pubs, and go out and celebrate with their girlfriends. Gifts are given to women. The event is designed to give women a day off, to be together and have fun after the frantic holiday season.
In keeping with the tradition of Women’s Christmas (also known as Little Christmas or Little Women’s Christmas), women are encouraged to bring small gifts to the pub to exchange with their friends. Minneapolis St. Patrick’s Day Association will also host a silent auction for gift baskets
The event will be held in the Titanic Lounge at Kieran’s. Seating is first-come, first served.
For more information about the event, contact Judy Clerkin, Mplsstpats@aol.com. For information about Kieran’s, go to https://kierans.com and Facebook event. For information about Locklin Road, go to www.locklinroad.com.
Event cancelled due to Covid 19.